Chow Rescue does not adopt out of their immediate area. This is because we can not appropriately perform inspections, etc., nor maintain proper contact with the families that adopt the rescues.

We constantly are getting questions from people as to what our policies for adoption are. So, in order to make this easier, we are posting our policies at the site.

Before going any further, if you are intetrested in a puppy, we rarely get puppies. When we do, we have a rather long waiting list. Puppies normally go to families that have already adopted older Chows from us and have exhibited the ability to properly raise and work with a Chow, or people who have had Chows in the past and shown that they can do the same.

First, to make it clear as to why we have the policies we have set forth, we have found that from our experiences over the years of doing rescue, there are certain things we have learned to be of importance for the well being of our rescues. It may seem that we have a lot of rules that don't make sense to everyone, but when taken individually, they DO make sense. However, it is because of our policies that some of the potential adoptive families decide that adopting one of our rescues is not for them. As I list the policies, I will try to explain some of them...others should be able to speak for themselves.

We have our adoption application that is filled out initially, and misrepresentation of any facts presented by the adoptee(s) or adoptee(s)' assigned agent in the submitted application is just cause for forfeiture of the subject Chow.

We do a background check and if all checks out, we set an appointment to do a home inspection at which time we take the subject Chow for the interview. -- when we do the home inspection, we check to see if the house and yard are "dog ready". We check for household cleaners and "chewables" that may prove to be a hazard to the new pet. It is exactly the same as "baby proofing" a home. The "chewables" we check for are things that we can readily see that may prove to be of interest to a younger animal who is still in the chewing stage that you may not wish to lose. As for the yard, we check for items that may be set against the fence (for fenced yards--NOTE: Invisible fences are not acceptable) that may be used by the pet to get over the fence and all other areas of possible escape. If there are worn spots in the fence that could be scratched or chewed to make the opening larger, that needs to be repaired, or it will permit the animal to get out of the yard. If there are places that are too far off of the ground, the pet could squeeze under the fence to get out. And if the dog is a digger, then the fence needs reinforcement around the bottom that will prevent the dog from being able to dig out from under the fence. If the dog is a jumper, and the fence is a short four-foot high one, then you will not be able to ensure that the dog will remain in the yard. There will be added precautions taken, or a higher fence will need to be erected. And if there are gates, they need to be padlocked. Many people don't understand why we say that, so I will explain.

All members of the household must be present for the home inspection. -- the reason we require all members of the household to be present is that we need to see how the animal responds to all participants. If there is going to be a problem with interaction between any of the household members and the new Chow, we need to see that beforehand. Sometimes the chemistry between people doesn't mesh, so it is understandable that may also be the case between animals and humans/other pets as well.

The Chow is a house pet and will receive all care and attention necessary to ensure the health and well being of the pet. This includes providing sufficient food, water, exercise, regular veterinary care, annual vaccinations, heartworm testing and preventative, and dental care for the duration of the Chow's life.

The Chow will not be abused in any manner.

The Chow will not be chained or tied at any time -- chaining a Chow can make it an aggressive animal...there are times when trolley tie-outs may be required to ensure the Chow will not be able to escape a yard with a short fence

nor be permitted off his/her property unless accompanied by a mature person -- Chows are very strong and would pull a child down very easily if got excited and took off suddenly to chase after a squirrel, bird, or butterfly...it is difficult enough for an adult to hold back an adult Chow

The Chow will not be left outside under any circumstances when no one is at home -- you don't know who might be doing what to your pet when you are not home...when left outside unprotected is when most pets get abused, stolen, or killed.

The Chow will never be endangered by transporting it in a vehicle without an approved seatbelt system -- if the pet is not properly secured in the vehicle, there are several dangers that can occur:

or allowing Chow to run loose -- if the animal is running loose, then you have left it open to all manner of accidents. The animal could possibly run into a situation where it needs to protect itself and consequently end up biting someone, or getting killed, or at least injured by another dog in a fight. The pet could very easily be hit by a vehicle while running across streets...just think of how many animals you see dead on the side of the road

or without appropriate personal and Rescue ID tags -- if your pet ever gets loose, without proper identification, the pet becomes one of the millions of animals found running loose on the streets of America that end up in the shelters...Chows have a tendency to be destroyed at most shelters if they growl or show any fear. With proper identification, they can be returned quickly to their home or at least to the rescue group. They should have their rabies tag that will identify which veterinary clinic they had their vaccination and in turn who their owner(s) is(are). They should have your ID tag on that will tell who their family is and where they belong. And lastly, they should always have their rescue group ID tag that will at least get them back to the rescue group in case you are not immediately accessible. With the three tags on the collar, there is a very good chance that at least one of the tags will still be attached in case the pet has been running loose for a while and gotten the tags caught on branches, fences, etc. But remember, if you put all of the tags on one ring on the collar, should the ring catch on something and get pulled off, you will lose ALL of the tags...therefore, you must keep the tags on separate rings to better ensure at least one of the tags will remain on the collar for identification

The Chow will not be trained or used for attack or for guarding property and will not be used for hunting or fighting -- to use any Chow for this type of purpose would cause said animal to become an aggressive, harmful animal and we will not allow that to happen to any of the Chows we have spent so much time and effort to socialize so they will be a credit to their breed; these activities would put the animal in harm's way. Many dogs used for the purposes of attack, guarding, or fighting are abused in order to make them aggressive and that of course is forbidden!

The Chow will not be beaten or otherwise treated cruelly, and will not be the subject of, or subjected to, any biological, chemical, psychological or other experiment.

Any Chow Rescue humane agent will have the right of visitation as deemed appropriate by agent to observe welfare of said Chow with or without prior notice -- this is the best method of our ensuring that the pet is being properly cared for, that the above rules are being adhered to, and the pet is not being abused. Our intention is not to be intrusive, but the welfare of the animal will always be the main concern of the rescue group

If the Chow has not been altered at the time of the adoption, the adoptive family will have the Chow spayed or neutered, whichever is appropriate, within 14 days from the date of the contract or not later than the date specified by the rescue group. The adoptive family will provide the humane agent with written evidence of the surgery within 10 days after it is completed; failure to comply will result in the removal of the Chow and forfeiture of adoption donation. The pet (if a female) will never be used for breeding; if said Chow should become pregnant the mother and all puppies are property of Chow Rescue. Any money received by the adoptee family from the sale of said puppies is property of Chow Rescue; any and all legal fees required to enforce this contract will be paid by the adoptee(s). -- there are already enough animals in need of rescue and it is the policy of the rescue groups not to add to those numbers. It is also the policy of the rescue group that none of the rescues be specifically used for breeding

The Chow will be kept by the adoptive family for so long as it shall live and will not transfer ownership or custody of the Chow to any other person, business or organization, except for return of the Chow to the humane agent who holds a contract that supercedes any surrender forms that may be subsequently assigned -- this way we can make sure that the Chow will be placed in a new home safely, following all of the policies of the rescue group

The adoption donation is nonrefundable after the 30-day foster period. If the adoptive family decides to relinquish custody of the Chow, the humane agent must be notified of this action at least 72 hours before custody is to be returned to the humane agent -- the notification period is to allow the rescue group the opportunity to arrange housing for the animal

All applicable state, county, and municipal laws and requirements for dog ownership will be obeyed, and the humane agent will be notified if the Chow is lost or stolen, and every effort will be made to locate and recover the Chow -- again, the welfare of the Chow is the utmost concern of the rescue group

The humane agent will be notified at least 7 days prior to any change of address. Failure to do so may result in removal of Chow and forfeiture of all fees. -- this is to ensure that the rescue group will have enough time to notify another rescue agency of the impending arrival of a rescue in their area in order to make sure the animal will still be covered by the benefits and security of rescue

The adoptive family recognizes the need to ensure that the pet is receiving proper and humane care, and agree to allow inspection of their home and the conditions in which the Chow is living at any time by any humane agent. If the humane agent in his/her discretion, determines that the terms and conditions of this agreement have not been met, or if the Chow will not receive proper and humane care in the future, then in either event, the adoptive family agrees to immediately surrender custody of the Chow to the humane agent immediately upon demand.

The Chow is an independent, dominant dog and may, at times, display primitive canine behavior patterns. The Chow may respond to harsh discipline with violence and may bite if cornered by a stranger. Although most Chows are tolerant of children, no child should be left alone with any dog without adult supervision. Chows are protective, territorial and may be aggressive with small animals and other dogs, especially those of the same sex. Chows may react badly to anesthetic and the veterinarian should be advised that only half the normal amount is sufficient. The thick heavy coat of a Chow requires regular grooming. Neglect of coat care will cause skin problems and damage.

Although the rescue group retains part ownership of the adopted pet for the life of the pet, the adoptive family promises and agrees to adopt the Chow and be solely responsible for the animal, and to indemnify and hold the humane agent harmless from any and all claims of liability for the conduct of the Chow on and after the date of the adoption. The adoptive family further agrees and intends that the release of liability and indemnification shall apply to all known, unknown, and unanticipated damages resulting from the adoption, ownership, and control of the animal.

An adoption fee will be paid to the volunteer/Chow Rescue in the form of a donation to Chow Rescue; the moneys are used to continue the program of rescuing Chows from shelters and as give-ups from their previous owners.

The adoptive family acknowledges and agrees to maintain a program of heartworm medication monthly (12) during the entire year -- in our area there may be mosquitoes present throughout the year, so it is important that the pet remain protected from the infection of Heartworms year round; it costs much less for the preventive than it does to treat the pet for Heartworms

The adoptive family acknowledges and agrees to enroll the Chow in an approved basic obedience training class by the date prescribed by the rescue group and further agree to enroll the Chow in an advanced obedience class as recommended by the trainer -- we have found that there are trainers and then there are trainers...if the wrong type of trainer is used, the pet may be ruined...either the spirit of the animal may be broken or the animal may become overly aggressive. For these reasons, we have specific trainers we have already approved and those are the ones we require to be used, or ones that they recommend who train in the same manner that they do. If a trainer allows or requires the use of choke collars or pinch collars, or uses the yank/jerk type of training or where the animal is being pulled off of their feet to get response, they may not be used ever.

and to furnish the humane agent with written proof of completion of said classes. Failure to do so will result in the removal of said Chow. -- it is our experience that non-trained dogs have a higher incidence of being abused, or get out of control whether in or outside the household. So it is for the safety/well being of the pet and its family that it is trained properly in order to ensure it is a "good citizen". Failure to have the animal properly trained is one of the main reasons that there are so many dogs in the rescue system to begin with...what is not perceived to be a pleasant pet to have around is one that is not desired...therefore, they end up tossed onto the streets of the world or abused by frustrated owners.

The adoptive family acknowledges the purpose of the contract is to safeguard the health and well being of the pet, and to protect the pet against neglect, abuse, and cruelty. The adoptive family has read and received a copy of the rescue group's policies in addition to the contract before signing and agrees to all conditions listed therein; failure to comply with the terms will result in the removal of said Chow and forfeiture of all moneys. It is a binding contract enforceable by civil law; any expenses incurred by Chow Rescue in the enforcement of the contract are to be paid by the adoptee(s).